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So in continuation, here we are back again....1 month into new ownership of our 2017 Newmar Essex and we've yet to make a "real" trip yet. We've spent 2-weeks in our Dealer's on site camp ground going through the PDI and day to day orientation on using all the systems installed in our new home on wheels. ( that period included our having taken the RV Driving School's training mentioned previously as well as our shopping for a new vehicle we can tow behind the coach). Our existing two cars were not flat tow capable and we had no desire to use a dolly or trailer).
Oh yeah, now we need a Tow Vehicle.
So we began looking at popular flat-towable vehicles using various forms of information such as FMCA's towables guide and determined the Jeep was clearly most popular and one of the easiest to pull. We'd also noted that many others pulling in and out of NIRVC during the course of our stay were equally pulling Jeeps so it became clear they are popular with motor home owners. So off to the dealers we went soon to find out that were by far "to proud" of their new inventories and not so willing to deal on pricing (Basically, we must have visited 5-6 separate Jeep dealers in the DFW metro area and all were asking full MSRP for their Jeeps so off to the pre-owned lots we went). At this point we're still flexible and open to consider both the Wrangler Jeep or the Cherokee (SUV). So we pull in a pre-owned dealer's lot and as Lydia sights, there sits a pretty, sharp looking Wrangler Rubicon that is all white sitting on oversized wheels and tires with a slight upward lift kit. Lydia likes it and is drawn to immediately upon stepping out of our car. Of course, within seconds a salesman pulls up in his golf cart and is already engaging her even before I've been able to shut off our car and get out of it.
I already know it's not the vehicle for us but I need to let Lydia make her own decisions, Anyway, 5-10 mins. later we're off on a test drive only to make it about a 1/2-block down the street where we quickly realize that it's not the vehicle for us. (she's driving). Heck, I couldn't even find the door window button while the jeep is beating the smile out of both of us on what was a reasonably flat and good hard paved surface. She's looking at me and I'm looking at her, both of use laughing and saying NOT!. Just too hard a ride for us. We wanted something with more comfort and besides, we agreed at 62/66 we'd already passed our use by date to be driving something like that. We returned, got out of it and walked the pre-owned lot some more looking a few other vehicles we might want to consider but then left to head to the next lot. We couldn't stand the salesman tagging along with us trying to convince us we need to buy something from him right then and there. As I said we left and visited a number of other pre-owned dealers in the DFA area throughout the next few days which had turned to looking at brand new Grand Cherokees by that time.
Wow, talk about sticker shock...In short, I'd told Lydia "I've never paid MSRP (full price) for a new vehicle in my life and I'm not going to start now". We can find a better deal in Houston than from these "stealers" in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I was wrong, the new car pricing in Houston was the same, i.e. full sticker price, so soon afterwards we suspended our search telling ourselves there was no rush to get a new tow vehicle and that we'd eventually find something to our liking at an acceptable price.
It came to be in the form of Autotrader.com. and 4 weeks later when we ended up once again back in Houston (actually Katy, TX) where we'd found a pre-owned 2016 Black Grand Cherokee Summit 4x4 SUV with the prerequisite Quadra Trac/Quadra Steer II option (required to flat tow the SUV model Jeeps). It was a one owner with 4,300 miles on it that had been traded at a BMW dealer and we bought it for $44k which was then, approx. $16k less than a new '17 with the close to the same features. A Black car, We did not intend to buy a Black car but the price was worth sacrificing the color. It also has the Hemi while we'd wanted the V6 Diesel but again, it became a matter of value for money spent. We've since come to widely appreciate the JGC.
This RV stuff. Wow, one can spend a helluva lotta money in a short period of time. The purchase of coach, or better our 40% cash downpayment by itself was by far the largest check we've ever written (it was actually a cashier's check but you get the picture). Since then, we've bought a car to tow behind it and as well need to get that sorted out in the form of towing gear.
Now armed with a new Tow Vehicle we soon returned to NIRVC (our Coach dealer) in Lewisville, TX (as we had some, a few small warranty repair items already to be addressed) and had them install the towing gear. At their recommendation, We agreed and opted for the Roadmaster set-up (base plate/tow bar) including the Blackhawk II 10,000 tow bar, together with the SMI Air Force One braking system. All systems a go, we latched onto it and headed back home to SW Louisiana.
Enough? Well not quite (for me).
Leave it to me to want something out of the ordinary and shame on both of us for dropping into a Golf Cart shop in Houston, TX (I'm thinking street legal golf cart at this point). I had been wanting one for use in our small neighborhood even before we purchased the motor coach but now..its something even more to consider. I may not have mentioned earlier, when returning to the US, we'd decided to downsize, get out of the big S&B houses in the form of a smaller 2-hr townhome which within it's Home Owners' Association (and the fee we pay) takes care of all the exterior including lawn care & maintenance - making it easy for us to come and go (in our new motor home) at our leisure without having to worry about the home. This was a good choice for us given that its just the three of us now (Us + our pet Miniature Schnauzer)
Back to the cart, Oh I tell her (Lydia), having something like this to use at home as well as carry along with us when traveling in the coach would be so much fun. What is it we ask the sales persona, whereby he informs us It's a Garia 2+2 and it looks and smells just like a golf cart but isn't. Its a fully street legal US DOT compliant 4-passenger low speed vehicle (LSV) manufactured and imported from Denmark. We're sold, got to have it and it just so happens we learn that Garia's Americas & Mexico distribution center is also located in Houston, whereby a few days later we're back, visiting the distribution center with our sales person from the Golf Cart shop and choosing the color combinations (for both the LSVs exterior and interior) of our liking which of course were those which would match up as closely possible with the paint scheme of our new coach.
Done. 4-weeks later the Garia is delivered to us at our home in SW Louisiana and a week later it's been legally titled, state inspected and registered (as a legal motor vehicle) in the State of LA to include being issued it's own license plates. We're legal! albeit per US DOT laws (and all states as well), our use of the Garia on public roads is restricted to roads where the published speed limits are 35-mph or less unless we're crossing an adjoining roadway to connect to another 35-mph road whereby we can traverse such roads with speed limits up to 50-mph including driving down them up to 1/2 mile if similarly connecting to another 35-mph road/street. All that's ok with us as our intention to use it will be when we're camping ("glamping" might be a better term here) at RV parks or resorts in populated areas where we can use it to drive around locally. This I can mention now has worked out very well and it's truly a lot of fun not to mention quite a conversation piece as well given its somewhat uncommon appearance. We have learned that some Valet's don't take to parking it for us but it's always fun to ask them to. Also (and as of the writing of this blog,) in 12-months of use we've yet to be stopped by a single police officer anywhere we've used it (likely owing to the fact it's clearly displays a state issued license plate on the rear).
I might add here, We also opted for the single high capacity SMI Samsung Lithium battery in the Garia (which replaces the 6 6-vlt conventional golf cart batteries). The Lithium battery gives the Garia something in the range of a 40-mile distance charge, is totally maintenance free, will hold a full charge for up to 6-months while being guaranteed for 10-years for the date of purchase.
I have to say, while the idea of it may not be to the liking of many, the Garia is a "load of fun" and actually has both "eco" and "sport" modes whereby the maximum speed obtainable (as built) is 25 MPH (but a slight re-programming of the onboard CPS enables it to achieve 40-mph, but please don't tell anyone). Oh and yes, Garia does make a "golf cart" version but those are not street legal. Pricey, yes. The Garia 2+2 is not a golf cart and is quite more expensive but to each his own as they say. We liked it, wanted it and now own one.
How do we add this up - a Jeep SUV and the Garia + the Motor-Coach?
Next up was to determine how best to transport the Garia on/with our coach. We looked at number of options including trailers, but finally made our decision of go with a special built Hydralift mounted on the rear of our coach (also available for ATVs, Trikes, and golf carts). NIRVC, again our Coach dealer helped us work with Hydralift and special order the lift which was specifically designed to handle transporting the Garia by means of its 50" x 96" platform which we purchased and had installed by their expert technicians. The lift is quite impressive, built using strengthen alloy steel components and nicely powder coated. Installation took the better part of 1-week and included special welding of its substructure to the tow/hitch receiver of our Spartan K3 chassis rated for 20,000 lbs towing capacity put us well within our capacity being only ~ 6,700 lbs. (Lift @ 650 lbs + Garia@946 lbs + Jeep SUV@ 4,933 lbs + Tow Gear @200). Prior to the installation (as well as before purchasing it), we checked with both Newmar Corporation and Spartan Chassis to reconfirm our coach's capacity to handle both the Lift and its cargo (being the LSV) to which both agreed would easily be accommodated (and not influence our OEM warranties on either the coach or the chassis).
What else?
While having the Hydralift installed by NIRVC, I also opted to use the opportunity to to have an engine compartment fire suppression system installed. Purchased online from Fire Fighting Products Inc., it is a 40-lbs nitrogen and chemical fire suppression filled bottle with 2 separate nozzles which were mounted above and on both sides of our ISX15 Cummins power plant. Fully automated, the system will deploy in the event temps inside the compartment reach a pre-determined level (i.e. fire). The system was relatively cheap, approx. $400.00. and can be seen in the photo of the rear engine compartment below (red bottle).
Next Up - our inaugural 1st trip/tour.
With plates on the shelves, and the pantry and fridge and freezer loaded up, the Garia on the lift and the Jeep latched to the rear, we're soon off on our first real RV adventure. It's going to a 5-month trip that will take us over 10,000 miles from SW Louisiana up to Niagara Falls, NY/Ontario then back down along the East coast to Florida before returning to our home base in LA. The subject of our next blog entry.
Our Grand Cherokee with Roadmaster set-up.
The Garia 2+2 visiting neighbors a few streets over.
NIRVC Hydralift Installation along with the Fire Fighting Products Inc, Fire Suppression System.
Set-up to Go.
Garia's colors worked well and match up to the coach. Note; The rear passenger hand rail which host the State License plate is removable and stored in a basement compartment when loaded and being transported behind the coach (due to DOT width restrictions).
On our way back home with the Hydralift installed. All in, 70' 3" OAL.
Just another view of the Hydralift & Garia for those whom may be interested. The photo makes it appear that the Garia/Platform are wider than the coach but they are not. is the DOT maximum limit

Need Help - WINDOW
2006 Mountain Aire 4528
Drivers side window shattered. Can't find a replacement without ridiculously high price from NEWMAR. Local repair shop having difficulty finding a proper dual-paned thermal, DOT approved replacement. Does anyone have a recommendation or suggestions for someone that can help me? I'm stuck parked in driveway at home until fixed and it's killing us.

These are the voyages of the Canyon StarShip 3953 and her launch Yuri the Yaris:
15-17 November 2016, Niagara Falls ON to Escapees Park, Livingston TX, via FMCA campground in Cincinnati OH (excellent benefit!), and Tom Sawyer RV Park, West Memphis AR;
22-23 November to Colorado Springs CO KOA, via Ole Towne Cotton Gin RV Park, Quanah TX;
29 November-01 December to Goodyear AZ Destiny RV Resort, via Santa Rosa NM and Deming NM;
03-11 January 2017 to Buffalo NY via Albuquerque NM, Oklahoma City OK, Dallas TX, Livingston TX, Hazen AR, Horse Cave KY
note we had some engine surging while accelerating and Ford arranged to have us seen in Texarkana TX - new air cleaner installed and seems to have fixed it
we had our main awning (Dometic) ripped off by crosswinds just west of West Memphis AR - a minor scratch on the coach, and a couple of dents on the toad
all repairs were done by Newmar under warranty including more than US$800 on the toad, and replacement of the awning and repair of the coach side scratch, etc
We are preparing to relocate to the US in the next few months. Destination: Superstition Views RV Port Home community in Gold Canyon AZ.
Well crewed by Cathleen and Leonard Campaigne (Federated 1988), three feline droids (Rudy, Mikey, Simba), and bearing FMCA Egg F337565 (since 2004).

Just finally got around to posting here. My name is Jennifer. I retired early to travel with my mother. I, unfortunately, will be traveling solo, or with an aunt or two.
I recently bought my 35 foot Newmar Ventana (new) in April. I just got back from a 6000 mile round trip from south Florida to Yellowstone. I know it is only about 2600 miles from here to there, but we made stops. I was a six week trip which I would have liked to have been longer. I did nearly all of the driving - one 300 mile stretch someone else 'helped' out. I am planning to go to the Newmar KK Keys rally in Decemer. And possibly to Tuscon in 2018. I have a few cats, but have only taken one with me so far, and he has been a good traveling kitteh. Otherwise, I will be travelling the US for a while. I almost applied for a campground host in Yellowstone
Again, I wanted to say "hello." I may not say it in person, as I am an introvert. And bossy.

I need help. My coach is a 1995 Newmar Dutch Star. On shore power I get 13 volts from Converter to 12 volt panel, but I get no charging power to house batteries.
If I have a Auto Reset Circuit Breaker (ARCB), I cannot find it. Can anyone please tell me where my ARCB is physically located? And what exactly it looks like?
Thoma

Thinking about buying a Newmar Dutch Star and like the sable maple wood but concerned it is too dark. Does anyone have it in their coach and what are your thoughts on it. Would also like to hear from anyone with dark leather furniture.
Thanks
Bill
1995 Monaco Signature Crown Royale

I've been wrestling with a full-wall slideout topper since I bought this 2007 Beaver Patriot Thunder. As with most things, the problems trace back to incorrect maintenance. Early in its history, the long mast (these systems are engineered for much shorter lengths) cradle became loose, and the fabric-wrapped roller tube fell onto the top of the slideout. Someone replaced it with their own hardware, long boltsets which tore at the fabric and chewed holes in the aluminum extrusion (pn 1110089-30 Slide Lead Rail) in which the spline is retained. To compound their incompetence, they lined the cradle with duct tape, which broke down over the years and formed a sticky length of rope, impeding the roller action and shattering the mounting plates on either end. All that stress loosened the mounting brackets. In attempting to clean up their mess, I'm faced with grinding out the damaged backside of the second articulating rail. It is only a $60 item, but shipping for a single 30' length is a whopping $700. By comparison, an entire new topper system is $3,800 plus about $1,000 in shipping. The $1 million question for me: did the dealer from whom I bought the rig know this cascading maintenance failure was in play? If they did a decent inspection of the rig -- they had it long enough to install a Silverleaf system and day-night shades, front to back -- it would've been apparent. I noticed small tears in the topper fabric, some chipped paint on the outer portion of the rail. Of course, there was no way to see the massive damage inside until I cut the old fabric off, today. Recommended Action: Inspect topper fabric for tears, and observe extension and retraction for smooth operation. Lift the cover on longer toppers and check for security of the cradle mounting hardware, and check to see that nothing is binding during movement. Remove end covers and carefully inspect pn 1511100-00R Side Plate Assembly with Gudgeon Support to determine that the corners of the support adjacent countersunk holes have not cracked or broken (symptoms of binding). Following Girard procedures, remove tension from the topper, detach the topper fabric, and tighten the Allen screws that hold the entire assembly on the RV. I found 20% of mine either loose or missing. Time in service: 7 years Mileage: 30,000 miles Failure to accomplish these checks can lead to the assembly coming off the RV at highway speeds, which can cause injury or death to others. [My plan is to use aircraft building/repair techniques to rivet the cradle to the extrusion. Allen bolts will be dipped in thread locker, and then have torque seal applied after installation. The rail is unusable, I'll have Girard cut three ten-foot sections for shipping. This plan passes muster with my expert on all things Girard, Kevin Waite. He can be contacted at 541 953-6162 or by email at kvn.wt.7629@gmail.com.]
Followup: Girard mentioned that the articulating extrusions are stacked, i.e. the fabric can be mounted to either. I used a bungee to hold them upright and closed the slide. To my absolute horror, the extrusion did not clear the mounting brackets, bending it backwards the same way your air conditioning unit did, that time you drove under the 12' overpass with a 12'2" rig Really. This is a manufacturing error by Beaver. The poor stupid technicians who rebuilt the cradle and saw the worn fabric simply didn't see that, upon closure, the fabric was sandwiched between crushed sections, and then mauled as the rig moved down the highway. Still, check your toppers. That tube for one weighs some fifty pounds and will leave a mark if it hits anyone, catapulted off your rig at seventy feet per second. Chances are, the strip didn't bind against the roller assembly when the bus rolled off the line. At 30 feet, a small amount of sag took place, and soon the parts started binding. Inept technicians failed to see what was happening, and inadvertantly made the situation worse. You humble correspondent is simply the boy with the shovel that follows their ugly parade...

My new Newmar Baystar 3124 has a terrible rattle in the door. It appears to be coming from the latch not holding the door properly. It is most noticeable when the coach is driving on roads that cause a vertical bounce in the chassis.
One dealer moved the metal stop up and in just a bit, and that helped, but it still is noticeable. One tech told me to wrap some electrical tape around the post to act as a soft shim. Not sure that is a great idea, but bailing wire and gum often do work. Obviously something need to be adjusted.
Any experience or thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Good morning,
Firstly, as a new user, hello to everyone on here and thanks in advance for any help/advice you may have. I am actually in the UK and am looking at buying a diesel A class in the next twelve months or so to leave in the US and to use for (hopefully) six months of the year, the max a tourist visa will allow.
Here's what I have thought/learned already:
1. We would like a 43-45' unit with a bath & ½. We especially like the 44B (Entegra) and similar Tour 'L' lounge layouts
2. If used, tyres & batts a consideration depending upon age
3. Buy private/from dealer only with an independent inspection
4. If from a dealer, look at one with a good/prompt service reputation
5. Various elec 'toys' nice but not crucial (other than a descent CD/audio system
6. 'All elec' sounds the way to go, but again not essential
7. Will probably buy from a Texas or Florida dealer mainly due to choice & experience of selling to overseas customers (registration etc.) - plus both a practical to get to from the UK
8. Buy using an LLC. - Worth looking at I believe?
9. Look at 'home' state for insurance purposes.
Have I missed anything? However, what I would really like to hear from people about and I know they are personal opinions, is for a given price, what are the advantages of new vs. used? I know in the UK, my caravan (trailer) from 2006 is far more solid than anything from the last couple of years in the same price bracket. As you can guess, you can't see build quality from a glossy brochure. Entegra owners do seem pleased with their rigs though. (Unlike quite a few Fleetwood Charleston owners I have seen comments from) Assuming I was buying tomorrow, I am talking about say a 2007/8 Rambler/Newmar/Monaco vs. a new Entegra. My budget is around $175k-$250 at todays prices. The opinions I have read so far seem to say build quality is better/more solid for the older models, but newer models other than perhaps looking more modern have more updated electronics/toys etc. Also, I realise all coaches are going to depreciate, but like cars, is the biggest hit in the first 2/3/4 years?
Again, thanks in advance for any help or opinions anyone has. They really would be appreciated. (Apologies for the long post as well)

Currently own a 2004 Holiday Rambler Endeavor (38'/2 slide/330 Cummins/8 bag Roadmaster). Looking for advice from all of your on our next coach. We are primarily 3-4 day weekend RV'ers as we both work, with typically a couple of two week trips each year. We are out at least 2-3 weekends a month in the coach and live in Oregon so would like to be able to use the coach year-round. Happy with our coach but would like (1) smoother ride and better handling, (2) more room with extra slides, (3) aqua hot or system that would give us more flexibility in the winter, (4) layout with 2 euro chairs & flatscreens.
Here are the type of coaches we are looking at (primarily to get better insulation and Spartan chassis): Newmar Ventana/Dutch Star, Country Coach. Would LOVE an Entegra Aspire, but that will have to wait a few years as our price range needs to be under 200k.
I would love to your advice on what coaches you think we should explore further...or are we already on the right track?
I would also like your advice on aqua hot or not for winter camping (winter here means no lower than 25 in the winter) and LP versus diesel fired Aqua Hot?
Thanks in advance.....love to hear from the experts on this board!